houseplant neo Px purifies indoor air pollution with bioengineered microbiome

Neoplants’ neo Px air-purifying houseplant

Neoplants has unveiled Neo Px, its houseplant that aims to purify indoor air pollution known as Volatile Organic Compounds. Three parts make up the new member of the green family at home: a Marble Queen Pothos plant, which the biotechnology company says NASA considers one of nature’s most air-purifying plants; a shell or vase use to clear away the pollution; and the in-house Bioengineered Microbiome, composed of microorganisms engineered to capture and recycle harmful air pollutants circulating within the home.

all images courtesy of Neoplants

Bioengineered microbiome ‘eats’ the air pollutants

Neoplant’s Neo Px houseplant is claimed to be 30 times more effective than a regular one in purifying indoor air pollution. Thanks to its Bioengineered Microbiome, this indoor greenery can recycle, metabolize, and absorb three air pollutants: Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene. It took the biotechnology company more than five years to bioengineer microorganisms capable of eating pollutants. Scientists used two types of bacteria and subjected them to a process called directed evolution multiple times. This process caused the bacteria to develop beneficial mutations, enhancing their ability to break down pollutants and convert them into useful substances like sugars and amino acids.

detailed view of the houseplant with bioengineered microbiome that can purify indoor air pollution

Dried bacteria to purify indoor air pollution

Neoplant’s team then created a special microbiome in the lab that can convert harmful chemicals (called BTX) into nutrients for plants. They dried these bacteria and packaged them into small units called Power Drops. Owners of the houseplant Neo Px dissolve this powder in water and pour the substance into the soil. The Marble Queen Pothos plant absorbs these bioengineered microorganisms and utilizes them to purify indoor air pollution. Neo Px’s shell, or its vase, also contributes to air purification. It works with the houseplant by allowing maximum air intake.

Neoplant’s Neo Px with its Power Drops, or the dried bacteria

The houseplant’s air intake brings the pollutants into contact with the bioengineered microbiome in the soil. This setup can increase root growth and improve Neo Px’s overall health. Neoplants has also added a self-watering system to the shell, featuring a water reservoir. Owners only need to water the houseplant once every three weeks during the winter and once every two weeks during the summer. The shell is made of eco-friendly PLA flax, sourced from renewable and biodegradable resources. Neoplant’s Neo Px is available for 139 USD.

the bioengineered microbiome, or bacteria, ‘eats’ the air pollutants at home